'May 23, 1903.1
HONGKONG GENERAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
ANNUAL MEETING.
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an undue figure. The only change which has been accorded us after our representations on the subject has been that the local in currency have been increased to the depreciation in silver. During more satisfactory than has year 1902 the health of the Colony been the since the closing of this re port an outbrock for some years past, but unfortunately bubonic plague has taken place more serious A mest important
presided, and there were also present Hon. C. ❘ that such speculative actions should be dis- than that of last the Public Health
The annual meeting of the members of the Hongkong General Chamber of Commerce was held on the 10th inst. in the Chamber Koom, City Hall. Mr. E. A Howel vice chairman, W. Dickson, Hon. R. Shewan Messrs N. A. Siebs, B. C. Wilcox, D. R. Law, C. Michelau, J. R. M. Smith, H. E Tomkin, A. G. Wood, T. Hough, G. Mayer. JH. Loris, A. G. Gor: dou, T. Cotton, Bou. G. Stewart, M. Stewart J. W. R. Taylor, H. Schubari, A. Beattie, B. D. Setua, K. D. Mistry, E. W. Mitchell, A. J. Raymond, J. R. Michael, W. D. Graham, G. de Champeaux, W. S. Bailey, A. Shelton Hooper, J. Goosmann, O. J. Ellis, C. B. Scott, W. M. Watson, G. H. Medhurst, etc. "The SECRETARY read the notice calling the The minutes of last aunual meeting and of three special meetings held daring the year having been confirmed,
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meeting.
of the Chamber of Commerce for 1902 have
and Buildings Bill has now been brought into force and this coupled with the more adequate measurable distance of time c ngot fail to have water supply which we trust to secure within a
a very marked effect upon the general health of the Colony, and will, we trust, put an end to these recurrent epidemics of plague which have at affected our free intercours) with surrounding intervals during the past ten years so seriously
bat also financially. All information at our countries and cost us so heavily not only in life. disposal points to the fact that the foreign trade if properly administered can easily meet all its of China is steadily advancing. The Empire
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT. Government of Hongkong and that of the Philippines. In one or two other questions we have not, I r gret to say, been equally fortunate in securing the desired support of the Govern ment. In a letter dated 25th April, 1902, will find a report of a claim brought by a junk- addressed to the Hon. Colonial Secretary you
Committee fully endorse the argument put owner against a British shipping firm. Your forward by the owners of the steamer concerned couraged and that in similar cases the junk-measure known as owner should be required to provide full security for the costs of the defendants should actions should be brought within arssonable the latter win their case and also that all such
time. Your Committee much regret to find the local Government opposed to such pro- posals and intend to aga'n take up the ourselves at variance with the Government is question. Another matter in which we find |
pilots. The facts are fully stated in the reports the very important one of the licensing of dated 10th June and 8th September drawn up appointed for that purpose. The Commitee by a Sub-Committee of the Chamber specially
the adoption of their suggestions as put forward there is not the slightest justification for the are quite unable to follow the arguments against reign obligations, and we consider therefore by the Government officials, more particularly demand which we understand has been pat when we remember that the Government has forward for the payment of enstoms duties to for some time past made the licensing of all be made in gold. I have now to refer to steersmen and engineers of small steam vessels the several changes which have taken place plying in the harbour compulsory. It is in the representatives of the Chamber. centre of business such as this Colony which left shortly after our last annual meeting, his needless to go further into detail as in a Our late Chairman, Sir T. Jackson, Laving so largely consists of the shipping trade, most place was filled by Mr. C. S. Sharp, while the interested in. and the of you are more or less connected with or Vios-Cuairmanship was taken by Mr. Poate, confident that in this matter they can rely upon indebted for valuable services rendered and a Committee feel To both these gentlemen the Chamber is much your cordial support when, as they intend to do, would specially refer to those of Mr. Sharp, they again take up this question. The question who, while having m ny other calls upon his of absconding Chinese debtors has been brought time, devoted much attention to furthering the in this matter they find themselves in disagree (Applause.) Mr. Whitehead, who for so many to the notice of the Committee, who regret that interests represented by this Chamber.
ton in his reading of Article XXIII of the Legislative Council, has unfortunately left the ment with the British Consul-General at Can-years has represented the Chamber in the Tientsin Treaty. The Committee propose to Colony, sau I feel sure the members will all The undue advantage whi h certain junks have which at the time was expressed by the Chair go further into this question at an early date. cordially endorse the appreciation of his services obtained in the Canton trade by flying foreign man. (Applause.) Mr. Whitehead has now flags has been represented to the Home been succeeded by Mr. Shewan, in whose hauda Government, and we trust that before long a we feel our interests are well placed. Renewel satisfactory solution will be found for dealing applause.) I much regret that it is my unpleas- with what we cannot but consider is au ant duty to refer to an entry in the accounts with improper use of foreign flags in Chinese regard to certain defalcations of one of our Viceroy has endeavoured in several directions rendered and other steps which have been waters. During the past year the Canton clerks. The form in which the accounts are now
to increase his revenue by illegal ́exactions taken by the Secretary as to the method of Thanks chiefly to the firm attitude taken by believe make impossible in the future a similar on foreign trade, notably on opium and yarn. collecting subscriptions, etc. etc., will I the British Consul-General at Cantor, these occurrence. The auditors have informed me questions have now been satisfactorily disposed that they are now satisfied with the manner in of and Jour Committee are glad to have this which the books are kept. For some time past it opportunity for acknowledging the courteous has been f It that the rules of the Chamber, consideratio they have always received at the which were drawn up 30 years ago, should be bands of Mr. James Scott and their high ap revised and brought up to date. This Preciation for the ability and energy he has has now been done, and you will be naked trade in his distriot. (Applause.) It is also pr ved of, to pass these new rules. Since the displayed in protecting and fostering our iu a later resolution to consider, and if ap- fitting that we should acknowledge the man- closing of the report other questions have arisen ner in which the British Minister Sir E. and it appears desirable that I should refer laid before him. (Renewed applause.) Con all important entrency question has during Satow, has dealt with these matters when to those requiring special attention. siderable attention has been devo ed to a scheme for improving the system of storm
the past year received the earnest attent on warnings in order to ensure a more effectual
of the Committee who, however, could not ses a way to making any recommendation on the and prompter supply of weather forecasts to subject, although werealised the many disabiâties vessels on the point of sailing. I am glad to experienced in the course of our business by an be able to report that we understand the unstable and steadily declining value of silver. Government has decided to grant what we ark. A largely attended meeting of the Chamber and it is hoped the new system will be brought was held on the 18th February at the requisi- into force at an early date. This is more than tion of certain members, when a great deal of ever necessary, as the typhoon season is now data bearing on the question was placed before approaching. During the last year your Coin the Chamber. The resolution" then passed mittes have carried ou some further correspon- asked the Government to extend the Straits dence with the Joiut Telegraph_Companies op the question of their rates and we can only re olution was in due course handed to the Currency Commission to Hongkong. This express our extreme dissatisfaction with the Government, and has, we understand, been attitude taken up by these Companies. forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Bearing in mind the fact that rates from Colonies. There the question now rests, but no India have been reduced and a reduction of ov r doubt more will be heard anon Public atten- 20 per
cent. has been given the Straits tion has recently been again directed towards we must protest against the Telegraph the position of the propo ed new Admiralty Companies taking advantage if a monopoly dock, which it is generally considered will i which they unfortunately possess in regard to completed seriously interfere with the landing rights for liues from the South, thus development of this town. petition it is so important should continue l'etween the' their charges at what we cannot but consider Chamber has already been sent to
maintaining so far as this Colony is concerned has been signed by most of the mem
The CHAIRMAN said Thoreport and accounts now been before you for some days and with your permission therefore we will take them as read. Before asking on to pass the report and accounts I will, as is usual, make a few remarks with regard to the more important matters which have transpired since our last annual meeting. The year ander review has been a busy one so far as the Chamber has been con- cerned and a number of important questions have been dealt with, as reference to the published correspondence contained in the report will show. In addition, the year 1902 will always stand out prominently in our history as it has seen the Coronation of fur gracions ruler His Majesty King Edward II. We joined with the whole Empire in the grief which was felt at his sudden and dangerous illness, together we rejoiced at his complete recovery and it was with feelings of thankfulness as well as of joy that we all joined in celebrating this important event. Our rélations with China have during the year we trust taken another long step for ward by the signing at Shanghai on the 5th September of the treaty prepared by the Special Commissioner Sir James Mackay, Although, like all questions of this sort, we can- nót hope to find an unanimous expression of approval given by all concerned, still if this tre ty comes into force and its terms are loyally carried out by the Chinese officials it cannot but prove of great and lasting benefit to China and those other powers engaged in trade with her, thus materially advancing the prosperity of this Colony. We have not as yet heard that the terms of the Shanghai treaty have been accepted by any of the other treaty powers, bùt, as we know, negotiations are now being carried on which we hope may result in a satisfactory agreement being arrived at between the various Governments concerned in the matter. On the 1st November lust a new pro- visional specific tariff was brought into force by the Imperial Chinese: Maritime Customs as
provided for under the terms of the Peace Protocol of 1901 and this has, I believe, up to the present in the main worked satisfactorily. Turn- ing to matters more immediately concerning Hongkong, you will see that many relating to our trade and general welfare hava besn dealt with in our correspondence with the Colonial Government. In some matters the Government has met our requests to the full. I wish I could add that, this were
the case on all points submitted. The question of employees and servants which, as yon ara aware, has been the cause of much inconvenience to residents here in the past has been satisfacto- rily settled by a recent ordinance which renders all servants on monthly pay leaving their employers without dus notion liable to fines or inprisonment. The question of Chinese slow- aways in British ships to Manila has also been -considered and a bil is now before the Legisla.
tive Council which when passed will, dently hope,
put a stop to cause of affairs which while serious enough for the owners engaged in llowed to continue lead to
ally relations wh
which
the trade might the weakening
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